skink
skink Lexical Profile
skink Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A smooth-scaled lizard of the family Scincidae, typically characterized by a long body, a relatively short head, and short or absent limbs.
"While hiking through the brush, they spotted a blue-tailed skink darting under a fallen log."
Scottish A traditional thick Scottish soup, often made from a shin of beef or smoked fish, alongside potatoes and onions.
"The pub near the harbor served a fantastic bowl of Cullen skink, heavily scented with smoked haddock."
• verb
Scottish To pour out liquor or other beverages; to serve drinks. (Archaic or dialectal).
"The tavern keeper began to skink the ale for the weary travelers arriving from the storm."
Word Nuance & Usage
The word 'skink' is a homograph; globally, it refers to a type of lizard, while in Scottish contexts, it refers to a thick soup (like Cullen skink) or the archaic act of pouring drinks.
• Rhymes for skink
Word Origin & Etymology
The lizard sense derives from Latin 'scincus', from Ancient Greek 'skinkos'. The Scottish noun (soup) and archaic verb (to pour) derive from Middle English 'skinken', from Middle Dutch 'schenken' (to pour or serve).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.